It can be difficult to get into the holiday spirit in the midst of so much confusion, fear, and grief. Children and adults alike may find ourselves feeling sad at the loss of a loved one, of normalcy and routines, or of beloved traditions that have been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Or maybe those very traditions feel out of place? With… continue reading Giving Back for the Holidays
By written by Emily S. December 23, 2021
Read, Baby, Read is a Free Library initiative focused on encouraging early literacy development among infants and young toddlers under two years old. We work with 12 participating libraries across Philadelphia to reach caregivers of all ages, providing resources that support early literacy skills, language development, and purposeful play. In… continue reading Read, Baby, Read Presents Early Literacy Ideas: Numbers!
By written by Sarah J. December 22, 2021
Which were the best books you read this year? The Children’s Librarians at Parkway Central Children’s Department have all the extremely specific book awards and recommended reads you never knew you needed! Ms. Becky’s Awards Becky Shaknovich – Department Head of Children's Department and Field Teen… continue reading Best Books of 2021 Selected by Parkway Central Children's Librarians
By written by Administrator December 21, 2021
Can you believe we’re about to turn the page on another (long, strange, COVID-19 filled...) year? I know I can't! While I've never really been a big New Year's Resolution person, I do appreciate how the turning of the page to a new calendar year can motivate us toward new goals and new expectations for all that… continue reading The Free Library and You: New Year’s Resolutions in 2022!
By written by Kate C. December 20, 2021 2
Free Library staff recently took the time to chat and answer some of our Library-specific Rebuild questions. Read their insights and enthusiasm about what Rebuild (Rebuilding Community Infrastructure) will bring to select libraries in Philly. Hello! Please introduce yourselves and tell us about your current involvement in Rebuild efforts at… continue reading Free Library and Rebuild: Building Stronger Communities One Park, Recreation Center, and Library at a Time
By written by Jenn D. December 17, 2021
You may know bell hooks for her innovative and tranformative works in literature, poetry, and feminist studies. Did you know she also wrote picture books? These titles are not to be missed! Homemade Love written by bell hooks; illustrated by Shane Evans Her Mama calls her Girlpie—a sweet treat, homemade with… continue reading bell hooks and picture books
By written by Monica C. December 16, 2021
On the eve of One Book, One Philadelphia’s 20th anniversary year in 2022, now is a good time to look back at the past two decades of a citywide tradition that has only blossomed with age. When this program began in 2002, I was only six years old and lived halfway across the country. Since I’ve moved to Philadelphia,… continue reading Happy 20th Birthday, One Book!
By written by Nell M. December 15, 2021
Would you like to learn a new language for an upcoming vacation? Or would you like to share the love of your language with someone? As the New Year approaches, the Languages and Learning Center is providing the opportunity for you to learn a language or teach your native language one-on-one. Hiring a language tutor can be expensive… continue reading Introducing World Language Tutoring
By written by Rachel H. December 14, 2021
No matter what holiday(s) you celebrate, the month of December is jam-packed with holiday offerings at the Free Library–both in-person and virtually! So whether it's Christmas, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice, or a love for sweater weather, we're here to help you celebrate this month! For a complete list of our holiday… continue reading Celebrate the Holidays with the Free Library!
By written by Kate C. December 13, 2021 1
The Free Library Board of Trustees will hold a meeting on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. View the upcoming meeting agenda » The meeting will take place through the online meeting platform Zoom, due to continued COVID-19 precautions. To access the meeting: Join via Zoom with the following link:… continue reading Free Library Board of Trustees Public Meeting on Friday, December 17 at 8:00 a.m.
By written by Administrator December 10, 2021
What art projects can you think of that involve layers? What recipes have you tasted that include layers of ingredients? Leanna and Tonii share two ideas for layering, while creating art and recipes in the following video. These ideas might be ones that you want to try or they might inspire different ideas of your own! Tonii's Layered… continue reading Nourishing Literacy | Let's Layer: Art and Cooking!
By written by Shayna M. December 10, 2021
It’s a well-established tradition at the end of the year that ballet companies everywhere offer performances of The Nutcracker . The Philadelphia Ballet presentation of this seasonal performance is for all ages and a perfect introduction to ballet. Whether you’re going or not, whether you’ve seen it or have yet to… continue reading Picture Book Highlights | The Nutcracker
By written by Monica C. December 9, 2021
The FDA has approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11—just in time for the holidays! The holiday season is usually a time for family and friends to gather and share food and fun. For the past year and a half, however, the pandemic has taken its toll on these types of festivities. Experts continue to advise caution when it… continue reading COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Children and Available in Philadelphia
By written by Emily S. December 8, 2021
Jólabókaflóðið , or the Christmas Book Flood in English, is an Icelandic holiday tradition started in 1944 and enjoyed every year since then. Around 2015, this book-lovers event gained worldwide attention and continues to grow in popularity. Here’s how it works in Iceland: the Icelandic book trade sends out a… continue reading Jólabókaflóðið: Iceland’s Holiday Book Tradition
By written by Jeff B. December 7, 2021
The Rainbow Connection is an LGBTQ+ group of library staff across all job classes that serve to support each other and the Queer communities in Philadelphia. Below are the books that we loved reading so far this fall and would love to share with you! A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine During a time of political instability in… continue reading The Rainbow Connection Fall Booklist
By written by Raven W. December 6, 2021 1
Updated Wednesday, December 15, 2021 4:20 p.m. One of the most popular attractions of the Free Library's Rare Book Department is Grip the Raven, the late lamented pet of author Charles Dickens. A few years ago, we shared Grip's story on this blog. Now younger readers will have the chance to learn more thanks to author Marilyn Singer and… continue reading Grip: A Poem, Book, and Raven
By written by Chris B. December 3, 2021
December is chockful of celebrations, with windows filled with lights and decorations, and a communal feeling of anticipation and joy. Find picture books for the holidays you celebrate and learn about other annual celebrations as well! Hanukkah The Eight Knights of Hanukkah written by Leslie Kimmelman ; illustrated by Galia… continue reading Celebrating in December | Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa
By written by Monica C. December 2, 2021 1
There’s a lot to explore this December with a mix of new titles coming to the Free Library's shelves! Young Children (up to 2nd Grade) The Real Santa written by Nancy Amanda Redd; illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow It’s not Christmas without Santa! But what does Santa truly look like? Does he match the… continue reading New Titles Coming to the Free Library in December!
By written by Rachel F. December 1, 2021
WHYY and the Free Library of Philadelphia are working together to make it a little easier to have difficult conversations. Bridging Blocks: Uniting Neighborhoods Through Conversation is a three-year initiative that will gather small groups of Philadelphia residents to talk about issues including gun violence, immigration,… continue reading Free Library Partners with WHYY to Bring Communities Together
By written by Kate C. November 30, 2021
The holiday season is upon us and what better way to celebrate than by bringing your little ones to a storytime at Christmas Village , Philadelphia’s authentic German Christmas market! The Free Library will be returning to the Christmas Village stage, located in LOVE Park , for weekly family storytimes, starting in December! Join us every… continue reading Christmas Village Storytimes are Back this Holiday Season!
By written by Sheila O. November 29, 2021 1
